Things are hotting up as the BAFTA Film Awards 2018 is just around the corner!

The British Academy Film Awards or BAFTA Film Awards are one of the main events in the annual global film festival calendar. They are regarded as a litmus test for the Oscars and feature both British and International films.

The BAFTA awards previously took place in April or May but were moved in 2002 to avoid clashing with the Oscars. Last year’s winners included the movie La La Land, actor Casey Affleck and actress Emma Stone.

The British Academy Film Awards: A brief history

The British Academy of Film and Television was founded back in 1947. Originally called The British Film Academy, it was set up by directors Carol Reed (The Third Man), David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) along with several others. The aim of the Academy was to promote the appreciation of British films and their creators.

By 1958, the Academy had joined with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to create the relatively short-lived Society of Film and Television. It was in 1976 that the organization underwent further rebranding to become The British Academy of Film and Television Arts or BAFTA film awards.

In honor of the original British Academy of Film and Television manifesto, BAFTA aims to “support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public”. Since 1976 however, the organizers have incorporated a set of new awards to increasingly recognize international films and filmmakers too.

The BAFTA award ceremony was held at the Royal Opera House from 2008 until 2017. Prior to this, it was held annually in Leicester Square at the Odeon Cinema. 2017 marked a new era for the British Academy Film Awards, when the event was moved to the Royal Albert Hall.

The 2017 event recorded the highest ever TV audience and was presented by much-loved TV celebrity Steven Fry. Many of the winners were to go onto gain further success at the Academy Awards just a few months later.

British Academy Film Awards 2018

Today, the BAFTA awards are a well-respected international film event that celebratesthe best that international film has to offer. The awards are shown on TV both in the UK and in a number of countries around the world. Currently, BAFTA has a membership of over 6,000 industry professionals that include the likes of director Ridley Scott and actress Dame Judy Dench.

Kate Winslet collected the best supporting actress award for her role in Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs

While regular presenter Steven Fry will not host the 2018 awards, the event is certain to be captivating. While BAFTA has yet to announce Fry’s replacement, a few of the award nominees have been revealed.

Daniel Kaluuya, the star of Get Out, and Tessa Thompson, star of Creed and Selma and Thor: Ragnarok have both received nominations. Also nominated are Lady Macbeth’s Florence Pugh, God’s Own Country’s Josh O’Connor, and Interstellar’sTimothéeChalamet.

For up to date information regarding all nominees for the 2018 British Academy Film Awards click this link.

Awards

In line with other international film festivals, the British Academy Film Awards runs a series of competitions for both domestic British and international films.

There is also an award for the BAFTA Rising Star Award as well as the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Both of these awards aim to help bring attention to rising young British talent.

How to enter the 2018 BAFTA awards

For those filmmakers who are looking to enter their films into the 2018 awards, sadly entry is now closed. However, entry will soon be open for the 2019 festival provided your film meets the requirements set out by the Academy.

For further details about entering your film, you can click this link. Terms and conditions are available on the BAFTA website via this link.

Always take care to read their terms and conditions carefully and to enter your film into the appropriate category.

BAFTA support for film

The British Academy Film Awards also help to raise awareness by running a year-round program of workshops and events. This includes numerous film screenings and tribute evenings that are held throughout the UK. They give particular focus to rising young talent through their ‘Breakthrough Brits’ program. The academy also does a great deal to help promote short film and animation.

For more information on how BAFTA helps to support rising young talent, you can visit their website by clicking this link.